9th Annual
Kona Chocolate Festival & Symposium

WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR 7th ANNUAL KONA CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL CHOCOLATE COMPETITION

Kailua-Kona, Big Island of Hawai'i – Over 1,000 chocolate lovers attended the 7th Annual Kona Chocolate Festival on March 29th at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa on March 29th! The attendees sampled chocolate confections created by chefs and chocolatiers from around the Big Island. The participants included, Hard Rock Café, Kona Wine Market, Kona Brewing Company, UH West Hawaii, Kilauea Lodge, Short N Sweet Bakery & Café, Compliments, Don The Beachcomber/ Royal Kona Resort, Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort , Big Island Organics, Sweet Paradise Chocolatier, Honokaa Chocolate Euphoria, Hale Pau Hana, The Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory, Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa, Marcellicious. Xocai-Healthy Chocolates, and Crystal Leishman.

"The Kona Chocolate Festival was lucky and honored to have as judges of the competition this year, Big Island culinary figure Sam Choy, Cathy Smoot-Barrett, Co-owner of Kailua Candy Company, Autumn Martin, head chocolatier of Theo Chocolate factory in Seattle, and Paul Streiter, Owner, Jackie Rey's of Kona", said Festival consultant, Dana O'Mary.

These judges sampled each entry and awarded points in the categories of appearance, flavor, degree of difficulty and creativity. Scores were tallied to determine 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners.

They made the difficult decision as to who was the "Best of the Best" for this year's Kona Chocolate Festival Chocolate Competition. Here are the winners:
Overall Winners:
1st Place: Sweet Paradise
2nd Place: Kilauea Lodge
3rd Place: Hard Rock Cafe

Professional Sweet winners:
1st Place: Sweet Paradise
2nd Place: Kilauea Lodge
3rd Place: Hard Rock Cafe

Professional Savory:
Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa
Amatuer Savory:
Crystal Leishman


Amateur Sweet:
Compliments

"We congratulate and thank each of the chefs and restaurants that participated this year. The crowds loved the chocolate so much that the Chocolate Festival organizers promise to provide more chocolate for next year", stated Chelle Pahinui, Executive Director of Na'alehu Theater.

The mission of the annual Kona Chocolate Festival and Symposium is to entertain both visitors and residents of the Hawaiian Islands; showcase the creative talents of our fine Hawaiian Island chefs, chocolatiers, ice cream makers and caterers; highlight cacao farming, support the chocolate industry in Hawai’i; and raise funds to support the unique programs offered by Na’alehu Theatre.